Shakespeare’s classic play MacBeth is the story of a young and ambitious noble, MacBeth and his wife, Lady MacBeth living in 11th century Scotland. When MacBeth is told by three witches that he will become King of Scotland, his mind begins to wander. He considers killing the current king, Duncan, but he soon dismisses the thought from his mind. When Lady MacBeth hears of the witch’s prophecies, she urges him to take fate into his own hands and kill the king. With her help, he commits this treasonous act and becomes King. This one murder is only the beginning as the couple strives to protect their power and maintain their innocence. Both characters fail to take into account the vast guilt that comes with their sinful actions. Shakespeare manifests this guilt in the images of blood and disease.
Shakespeare uses the images of blood and death to represent guilt. It is a way of him putting a feeling into a tangible form. As the play progresses, MacBeth and Lady MacBeth come to realize that guilt is much more serious than they thought. It can control a person to the extent of having them kill themselves.
